Musical instruments needed for mission in Haiti

By Jackie Bridges

Published: Monday, September 24, 2012 at 11:01 AM.

She is a member of the Caribbean Christian Club, a nonprofit organization established in 1997 to assist people in Haiti.

Rising above the little blue tarps that dot the community located near St. Marc is a church that has been updated and furnished through the fundraising efforts of the club. People in Cleveland County contribute to the effort every Christmas by supporting a gift-wrapping booth at Cleveland Mall.

“We have people who come every Christmas,” Black said. “The people who have supported us — that’s where the money went — to build the church which houses a medical clinic and a well for the community. It’s a tremendous blessing to them.”

The fresh-water well and the clinic is helping to prevent deaths from cholera. There is also a school there for 70 students.

Black visited the church recently for a conference. A band from another church in Port-au-Prince provided music during the event. Hearing the musicians inspired the people in the community.

“They want a band of their own,” Black said. “They are studying music but have no instruments.”

She is trying to collect instruments for them, hoping that people who have old band instruments gathering dust will donate them to the people in Haiti.

She is a member of the Caribbean Christian Club, a nonprofit organization established in 1997 to assist people in Haiti.

Rising above the little blue tarps that dot the community located near St. Marc is a church that has been updated and furnished through the fundraising efforts of the club. People in Cleveland County contribute to the effort every Christmas by supporting a gift-wrapping booth at Cleveland Mall.

“We have people who come every Christmas,” Black said. “The people who have supported us — that’s where the money went — to build the church which houses a medical clinic and a well for the community. It’s a tremendous blessing to them.”

The fresh-water well and the clinic is helping to prevent deaths from cholera. There is also a school there for 70 students.

Black visited the church recently for a conference. A band from another church in Port-au-Prince provided music during the event. Hearing the musicians inspired the people in the community.

“They want a band of their own,” Black said. “They are studying music but have no instruments.”

She is trying to collect instruments for them, hoping that people who have old band instruments gathering dust will donate them to the people in Haiti.

They are asking for four trombones, four trumpets, two alto saxophones, a tenor saxophone, two clarinets, a tuba, three transverse flutes, two French horns, a bass guitar, a solo guitar, a professional keyboard, three microphones, a violin, batteries and sound equipment such as cables, mixers and speakers.

Black said people may wonder why musical instruments are necessary to people who don’t even know where their next meal is coming from. She said food is always going to be in short supply, but the instruments will be there as a symbol of the gifts they have received from people who care.

“They have nothing,” Black said. “The things we take for granted, they don’t have. These instruments would be a wonderful addition to their worship service, and a great boost to have these instruments that nobody else has. It will also mean a lot to the individuals who will be playing the instruments that they will be selected and trusted to do those things.”